1935
Happy birthday to Sandy Koufax, one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, who was born on this day in 1935 (82 years ago). He is born in Brooklyn, and will go on to pitch for the hometown Dodgers. He pitched to a 9-10 record after being signed as a bonus baby, but his career exploded a few years after…

When most of us speak about baseball cards we are referring to the cardboard collectibles containing photos and stats of MLB’s players. Some have come with tobacco. Some have come with candy. Many were sold with bubble gum.

Our daily look at what happened in baseball “On This Day” is going to take a little holiday break. Our plan is to return December 30. Until then, may you and yours have a terrific season of celebration.

1982
Tom Seaver agrees to a new contract with the Mets, completing a trade that sends him back to New York from Cincinnati. The Reds receive pitcher Charlie Puleo and minor leaguers Lloyd McClendon and Jason Felice for the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

1974
Catfish Hunter wins his claim against Oakland Athletics owner Charles Finley and is declared a free agent by arbitrator Peter Seitz. He will sign with the New York Yankees and win 23 games for them that year.

Happy 67th birthday to the great “Stormin” Gorman Thomas of Milwaukee Brewers fame. He hit 268 home runs in a 13 year career (mostly with the Brewers). Thomas had good fielding skills and his throwing arm was strong until shoulder surgery in 1984, after which he became a DH until his retirement in 1986.

1951
Joe DiMaggio officially retires as a member of the New York Yankees with 361 home runs and an average of .325 after 13 seasons. His 56-game, consecutive-game hitting streak in l941 will stand as one of the all-time best diamond achievements.